New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-09-04
MR. YANDERBIL1'S GENEROUS GIFT.
A FINE CLUBHOUSE FOR RAILROAD MEN.

THE EXCELLENT WORK DONE BY THE CHRISTIAN
ASSOCIATION TO BE GREATLY EXTENDED.
One OF the most important features Of the work OF
the Young Mems Christian Association In this city Is
the railroad department. This consists OF five branches
with total membership Of 600 at the following places
Grand Central Station rooms, at Vanderbilt-aye ana
Forty fourth-st; 47O West Thirtisthst sixtlens
and Eleventh-ave. the wsshawken Branch in the West
Shore Station and the New Durham Branch, near the
West Shore Round House. OF these the Central branch
is at the Grand Central Station where the Office OF the
General Secretary George A. Warburton is, and where
over 600 Of the men are members.
The railroad department. was begun ten years
ago ut the Grand Central Station by Cornelius
Vanderbilt who had long been warm friend
OF the association at Fourthave and Twenty
thrdst He realized that the he did to benefit his
employees the better lie would have IN his employ
and they would be better servants Of the public room
opened on the basement floor OF the station, and
furnished with newspapers, -es and piano. wash
room was added, and Odatons for the visiting
railroad who obliged to stay over night In New
York were made, but from 272 railroad officers and
employees who formed the entire membership at the end
OF the first year. the growth OF the association has been
gradual and steady, tho membership fees being merely
nominal and the bulk OF the expenses being met by Mr.
Vanderbilt who still the chairman Of the department
At last the grew to such proportions that the
present rooms not large enough for tho men who
visit them constantly.
Realizing the need Of more extensive accommodations
Mr. Vanderbilt has built large and handsome building
at Fortyffth.st and Madison-aye.. which will be
formally presented to the association branch on
October 3. Yesterday TRIBUNE reporter was con-
Quoted the homo Of the association By George
NJ Archer the assistant secretary at the Grand Central
Station rooms. Tho building presents an attractive
appearance from tho street. being faced with dgod
brick each brick being ten inches long two inches wide
and inch thick and the entire building being trimmed
with Scotch redstons The entrance is on Madison
ave, passes through the door he Is met by
handsome vestbue finished In polished oak with tile
floor. The hall opens directly into the reception-roo
the noticeable feature OF this being generous
fireplace OF the oldashioned pattern with plenty OF
for army to warm ITSELF ," At the right OF the
secretary's office both finished with oak trimmings and
frsscoed walls On tho left OF the receptonroom the
s trimmings Of cherry In the rear of hs room is the
amusement room, finished In OAK and trimmed WIN
the building is the library fitted with all the modern
convenisnces and finished in oak The branch already
Kindness OF Mr. vanderbilt 6,O06 new volumes will BIO
made circulating not only In New.York' put 10 inc
the Harlem River. the Hudson River, and the New
York, New Haven and Hartford Railroads ,...u..
On the second floor the classrooms-a new feature
In the railroad association work which viii 30 20
pursued which will be Of the most benefit to the rail-
road men-and the hall Of the association,
be- given every winter The hall Is finely decorated with
| sycamore walls and an ash ceiling with pretty stage
finished In oak.
The jantors apartments. finished in oak, occupy the
third floor and on tho upper floor Is an ample resi-
ROOM fitted with cots for the who have to LAY over
night" ia NewY York. with their engines or trains rms
istted up with all the conveniences for comfort ana
Descending the broad staircase TO the basement
the visitor enters large gymnasium with lmportcu
enameed brick walls trimmed with marble, and with
tile ceiling, while every arrangement Tor lndvuual
practice with a couple OF bowling alloys complete tue
| appointments Of the room. Opening from tne
| gymnasium IL the wash-room, lifted up with marble
while large tank about fifteen feet long, ten feet wide
and eight feet deep has been placed at the furtner end
for plunge bath Every thing that could add 10 tne
comfort and elegance OF the rooms has bcen suppneu
literally and the pride themselves with the thougnt
they will have OF the handsomest cluorooms IN
| this city, -,
At the tenth OF the Railroad Branch which
readin the Grand Central station
not long Chauncey NJ Depew the president OF tno
Nsw-York Central and Hudson River kalroa9, IA
addressing the members spoke of the new building whicn
his home, follows: "Our chairman was 700 mod
when ho spoke years since THIS organ
iZatlon founded because without him IL would no,
have been created and except for his constant ara anu
has attained to-day Applause When LOOK ior1aru
TO the years to the usefulness the enormous
growth and the Influences which TO spring from me
building upon tho yonder. also built by MI
tho work that building the Intellectual, moral and
physical health OF the men belonging 10 the various
railroads that at the Grand Central station VIII
extend railroad In the United states ana tnat
an Influence grand, shall be established on their OWL
lines and buildings OF the character erected out OF
their funds at all the principal centres where tner
men gather Let this grand work 90 on ana nultipY
OF the State and OF this Republic which all love and
hope will continue forever. Applause.